CHICAGO, Ill. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 12) it will play Michigan State University in an outdoor game as part of the 2015 Coyote Logistics Hockey City Classic on Feb. 7, 2015, at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears. National Collegiate Hockey Conference rivals Miami University and Western University will also play in the event.

"We are pleased to be a part of the Hockey City Classic this season in its return to Soldier Field and the city of Chicago," said head coach Red Berenson. "It will be exciting for our players and our loyal Michigan Hockey fans to witness this historic outdoor game with all-important Big Ten points on the line."

The inaugural Hockey City Classic in 2013 -- the first hockey games ever played at Soldier Field -- attracted more than 52,000 fans, featuring Notre Dame vs. Miami and Minnesota vs. Wisconsin. In addition, more than 100,000 people attended the 80 events that made up the Hockey City Classic Winter Festival, an 18-day celebration at Soldier Field. Last year, the event moved to TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as the University of Minnesota men's and women's hockey teams played host to Ohio State and Minnesota State.

Michigan will play in its seventh outdoor game in the modern era of outdoor hockey (beginning with 2001 "Cold War" game at Michigan State) when they take the ice against the Spartans. Michigan is 2-3-1 in outdoor games. The Wolverines have played outdoors in five of the last six seasons, most recently against Western Michigan and Michigan State at the 49th Great Lakes Invitational at Comerica Park on Dec. 27-28, 2013.

The 2015 Hockey Classic Winter Festival will include open and corporate skates, hockey clinics, exhibition matches and exclusive hospitality events. Tickets will go on sale to the general public in October. Game times and broadcast details for the 2015 Coyote Logistics Hockey City Classic will be announced at a later date. Visit hockeycityclassic.com for additional information. Fans also can follow the Coyote Logistics Hockey City Classic on Twitter @HkyCityClassic and on Facebook at Facebook.com/HockeyCityClassic.